Optical relay cable

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a system for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a second location. The system may include first and second mounting fixtures, a reception module, an optical fiber, and a transmission module. The first fixture may define at least a first cavity and a first aperture at the bottom of the cavity. The reception module may be disposed in the cavity, and include a reflector for receiving the optical signal from a first direction through the first aperture and redirecting the optical signal in another direction. The optical fiber may be for receiving the optical signal from the reflector. The second fixture may define at least a second cavity and a second aperture on the side of the cavity. The transmission module may be disposed in the second cavity and direct the optical signal from the optical fiber through the second aperture.

BACKGROUND

Different electronic components, most notably of audio/visual equipment,often communicate with each other via infrared or other optical signals.While this sort of communication is often between a transmitting remotecontrol and receiving audio/visual equipment such as set top boxes andtelevisions, on some occasions the need arises to transmit betweendevices which are more typically thought of as optical signal receivingdevices (e.g., set top boxes and televisions).

In these situations, the audio/visual devices are usually located neareach other and oriented facing in a similar or a same direction. Sincethe optical receiving/transmitting points of such devices are thus alsousually oriented in a similar or a same direction (as opposed to facingeach other), it may become problematic for them to receive opticalsignals from one another.

The prior art typically relies on environmental reflectance to deliveroptical signals from one device to the other in these situations. Forexample, an optical signal may be transmitted from a set top boxoutward, reflected off furniture and/or walls, and then received by atelevision near the set top box that could not otherwise receive theoptical signal more directly. The problem with this approach is thatreliable transmission of the optical signal from one device to anothermay not occur in every potential environment (e.g., different homes ofdifferent set top box and television users).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a system for transmitting an optical signal from afirst location to a second location is provided. The system may includea first mounting fixture, a reception module, an optical fiber, a secondmounting fixture, and a transmission module. The first mounting fixturemay define at least a first cavity and a first aperture at the bottom ofthe first cavity. The reception module may be disposed in the firstcavity, and include a reflector for receiving the optical signal from afirst direction through the first aperture and redirecting the opticalsignal in a second direction. The optical fiber may be for receiving theoptical signal from the reflector. The second mounting fixture maydefine at least a second cavity and a second aperture on the side of thesecond cavity. The transmission module may be disposed in the secondcavity and direct the optical signal from the optical fiber through thesecond aperture in a third direction.

In another embodiment, a method for transmitting an optical signal froma first location to a second location is provided. The method mayinclude receiving the optical signal from a first direction through afirst aperture at the bottom of a cavity in a first mounting fixture.The method may also include reflecting the optical signal in a seconddirection through a second aperture in the first mounting fixture. Themethod may further include transmitting the optical signal through anoptical fiber. The method may additionally include transmitting theoptical signal in a third direction through a third aperture in a secondmounting fixture. The method may moreover include transmitting theoptical signal from the optical fiber toward a receiver.

In another embodiment, a system for transmitting an optical signal froma first location to a second location is provided. The system mayinclude a first means, a second means, a third means, and a fourthmeans. The first means may be for receiving the optical signal andreflecting the optical signal. The second means may be for transmittingthe reflected optical signal. The third means may be for securing thefirst means to a first surface. The fourth means may be for securing thesecond means to a second surface, where the fourth means is identical tothe third means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 are axonometric views of an unassembled reception module,optical cable, and mounting fixture of one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of an assembled reception module withoptical cable and mounting fixture of one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of an assembled reception module withoptical cable disposed in a mounting fixture of one embodiment;

FIG. 6 a is a sectional view of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 7-10 are axonometric views of an unassembled transmission module,optical cable, and mounting fixture of one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an axonometric view of an assembled transmission module withoptical cable and mounting fixture of one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an axonometric view of an assembled transmission module withoptical cable disposed in a mounting fixture of one embodiment;

FIG. 12 a is a sectional view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is an axonometric view of a fully assembled system embodimentfor transmitting signals from a first location underneath the receptionmodule to a second location near the transmission module; and

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a method embodiment for transmitting anoptical signal from a first location to a second location.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame numerical reference label. Further, various components of the sametype may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letterthat distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If onlythe first numerical reference label is used in the specification, thedescription is applicable to any one of the similar components and/orfeatures having the same first numerical reference label irrespective ofthe letter suffix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of thedisclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodimentswill provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing one or more exemplary embodiments. One of skill in the artwill understand that various changes may be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. For example, well-knownstructures and techniques may be shown and discussed without unnecessarydetail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. In yet anotherexample, any step performed by any system or method herein may or maynot occur in all embodiments, or may be performed in a different orderthan explicitly disclosed.

Systems and methods described herein may provide, among othercapabilities, the ability to reliably transmit optical signals from aset top box to a television, while leaving the optical reception of thetelevision unobstructed so that the television may also receive opticalsignals from other sources such as remote controls. Additionally,systems and methods described herein may provide an advantageousphysical layout which allows for the easy rearrangement of the set topbox and television as needed. Furthermore, systems and methods describedherein provide common components which may be used for differentfunctions, reducing the cost and time to manufacture completed systemsdescribed herein.

The term “set top box” is used throughout this disclosure, and isintended to describe any device capable of receiving and/or sendingaudio and/or visual information for reproduction by audio/visualequipment. Set top boxes may include, merely by way of example,satellite television receivers and cable television receivers, includingthose with or without digital video recorders. A set top box need not belocated on top of any other particular device.

In one embodiment, a system for transmitting an optical signal from afirst location to a second location is provided. The system may includea first mounting fixture, a reception module, an optical fiber, a secondmounting fixture, and a transmission module. The first mounting fixturemay define at least a first cavity and a first aperture at the bottom ofthe first cavity. The reception module may be disposed in the firstcavity, and include a reflector for receiving the optical signal from afirst direction through the first aperture and redirecting the opticalsignal in a second direction. The optical fiber may be for receiving theoptical signal from the reflector. The second mounting fixture maydefine at least a second cavity and a second aperture on the side of thesecond cavity. The transmission module may be disposed in the secondcavity and direct the optical signal from the optical fiber through thesecond aperture in a third direction.

In some embodiments, the first mounting fixture may be identical to thesecond mounting fixture. As described above, and will be furtherdiscussed in reference to the figures, this may allow for lessermanufacturing costs compared to embodiments where the first and secondmounting fixture are different.

In some embodiments the second mounting fixture may be configured to bemounted on a surface, possibly near an optical signal receiver. Thesecond mounting fixture, in conjunction with the transmission module mayfurther be configured to direct the optical signal from the opticalfiber through the second aperture at a grazing angle to the surface of45 degrees or less to impact the optical signal receiver. In these orother embodiments, the mounting fixtures may include wings extendingaway from the sides of the cavity to facilitate mounting to the surface.An adhesive, such as double-sides tape, may be disposed on the bottomthe wings or other portions of the mounting fixtures to adhere thefixtures to the surface easily. Because the reception module andtransmission module are reversibly disposed within their respectivemounting fixture cavities, the mounting fixtures need not be easilyremoved from the surfaces to which they are mounted (i.e., set top boxand television).

In some embodiments, the first mounting fixture may further defineanother aperture on the side of the first cavity. The reflection of theoptical signal received by the reflector may be through this otheraperture. In these or other embodiments, the first and/or secondmounting fixture may also further define an additional aperture in whicha protrusion of either the reception module or transmission module maybe disposed to orient and secure such module in the mounting fixture.These protrusion-accepting apertures may be opposite any aperturethrough which the optical signal travels.

In another embodiment, a method for transmitting an optical signal froma first location to a second location is provided. The method mayinclude receiving the optical signal from a first direction through afirst aperture at the bottom of a cavity in a first mounting fixture.The method may also include reflecting the optical signal in a seconddirection through a second aperture in the first mounting fixture. Themethod may further include transmitting the optical signal through anoptical fiber. The method may additionally include transmitting theoptical signal in a third direction through a third aperture in a secondmounting fixture. The method may moreover include transmitting theoptical signal from the optical fiber toward a receiver.

In some embodiments, the optical signal may be originally received froman optical signal transmitter, for example a set top box or otherdevice. The set top box or other device may be coupled directly beneaththe first mounting fixture. In these and other embodiments, the receiverto which the optical signal is transmitted may be a television or otherdevice. The television or other device may be coupled directly beneaththe second mounting fixture, but the exact optical signal receivingpoint of the television device may be located nearby the mounting pointsuch that the optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber properlyimpacts the television or other device at the optical receiver.

In another embodiment, a system for transmitting an optical signal froma first location to a second location is provided. The system mayinclude a first means, a second means, a third means, and a fourthmeans.

The first means may be for receiving the optical signal and reflectingthe optical signal. Merely by way of example, the first means mayinclude a reception module as described herein, or any other equivalentmeans, existing now or in the future, capable of performing the samefunction.

The second means may be for transmitting the reflected optical signal.Merely by way of example, the second means may include an optical fiberand/or transmission module as described herein, or any other equivalentmeans, existing now or in the future, capable of performing the samefunction.

The third means may be for securing the first means to a first surface.The fourth means may also be for securing the second means to a secondsurface, where the fourth means is identical to the third means. Merelyby way of example, the third means and fourth means may include amounting fixture as described herein, or any other equivalent means,existing now or in the future, capable of performing the same function.Thus, both the second and fourth means may also be for directing theoptical signal to a target location. The location and orientation of thefourth means, along with the construction of the second means, maydetermine the exact impact point of the transmitted optical signal on anearby reception surface.

Turning now to FIG. 1, an axonometric view 100 of an unassembledreception module 110, optical cable 120, and mounting fixture 130 isshown. Unassembled reception module 110 may, in this embodiment, includethree parts: back portion 112, reflector 114, and front portion 116.Optical cable 120 includes optical fiber 122 and sheathing 124. FIGS.2-5 show axonometric views 200, 300, 400, 500 of the various stages ofassembly of reception module 110.

In this embodiment, reception module 110 has three sub-parts, while inother embodiments it may have fewer or greater number of parts toaccomplish the same function. Back portion 112 accepts optical cable120, and connects via flexible teeth to front portion 116. Between rearportion 112 and front portion 116, reflector 114 is coupled with the endof optical cable 120, and may transmit signals from the bottom side ofreflector 114 to optical fiber 122. The backside of reflector 114 mayhave a fixture with teeth that grip sheathing 124 when optical cable 120is inserted into the fixture and the fixture is disposed within rearportion 112. A hole or aperture in the bottom of front portion 116 mayallow the signal to reach reflector 114. Front portion 116 may also havea protrusion 118, the function of which will be explained below.

Mounting fixture 130 may include two wings 132 and define a cavity 134.The wings may be flexible in relation to cavity 134, possibly as shownhere through the use of slots cut into wings 132 as shown, and/orbecause they are made from a flexible material. Mounting fixture 130 mayhave three apertures: a first aperture 136 on a side of cavity 134, asecond aperture 138 on the opposite side of cavity 134, and a bottomaperture on the bottom of cavity 134 (not shown due to axonometricangle).

First aperture 136 may allow the optical cable 120 end of receptionmodule 110 to be firmly seated when disposed in cavity 134. Secondaperture 138 may allow protrusion 118 to also assist in keepingreception module 110 firmly seated when disposed in cavity 134. Mountingfixture 130 may be made from a relatively flexible material such as apolymer to allow reception module to enter into cavity 134 and thevarious apertures.

The bottom aperture of mounting fixture 130 may allow an optical signalto be received from below by the reflector in reception module 110. Thusmounting fixture 130 may be disposed over an optical transmitter suchthat the optical transmitter is able to send an optical signal throughthe bottom aperture of cavity 134, through a hole or aperture in thebottom of reception module 110, to be reflected by reflector 114, andinto optical fiber 122.

FIG. 6 is an axonometric view 600 of assembled reception module 110 withconnected optical cable 120 disposed in mounting fixture 130. As shownfrom arrows 610, 620, this assembly is now capable of receiving anoptical signal from beneath mounting fixture 130 in the direction ofarrow 610 and retransmitting it through optical cable 120 in thedirection of arrow 620. Optical cable 120 may be of any length andextend to a transmission module which will be detailed below. Thus inthe above example of a set top box transmission point, mounting fixture130 would be located over an optical transmission (e.g., infraredtransmission) point on the set top box. FIG. 6 a shows a sectional viewof the optical signal transmission path of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows an axonometric view 700 of an unassembled transmissionmodule 210, optical cable 120, and mounting fixture 130 is shown.Unassembled transmission module 210 may, in this embodiment, includethree parts: back portion 212, optical terminator 214, and front portion216. Optical cable 120 is the opposite end of optical cable 120 from theprevious figures, and again includes optical fiber 122 and sheathing124. FIGS. 8-11 show axonometric views 800, 900, 1000, 1100 of thevarious stages of assembly of transmission module 210.

In this embodiment, transmission module 210 has three sub-parts, whilein other embodiments it may have fewer or greater number of parts toaccomplish the same function. Back portion 212 accepts optical cable120, and connects with flexible teeth on front portion 216. Between rearportion 212 and front portion 216, optical terminator 214 is coupledwith the end of optical cable 120. Optical terminator 214 protects theterminating end of optical fiber 122. The backside of optical terminator214 may have a fixture with teeth that grip sheathing 124 when opticalcable 120 is inserted into the fixture and the fixture is disposedwithin rear portion 212. A hole or aperture 218 in the front face offront portion 216 may allow the signal to be transmitted fromtransmission module 210. Rear portion 212 may also have a protrusion 219which will operate in a similar manner to protrusion 118 previouslydescribed.

Mounting fixture 130 as used with transmission module 210 may beidentical to mounting fixture 130 used with reception module 110. Assuch, it may include two wings 132 and define a cavity 134. The wingsmay be flexible in relation to cavity 134, possibly as shown herethrough the use of slots cut into wings 132 as shown, and/or becausethey are made from a flexible material. Mounting fixture 130 may havethree apertures: a first aperture 136 on a side of cavity 134, a secondaperture 138 on the opposite side of cavity 134, and a bottom aperture139 on the bottom of cavity 134.

At this transmission end of the system, first aperture 136 may allowtransmission aperture 218 of transmission module 210 to assist in firmlyseating transmission module 210 when disposed in cavity 134. Secondaperture 138 may allow protrusion 219 to also assist in keepingtransmission module 210 firmly seated when disposed in cavity 134.Mounting fixture 130 may be made from a relatively flexible materialsuch as a polymer to allow reception module to enter into cavity 134 andthe various apertures.

While bottom aperture 139 of mounting fixture 130 may be present at thisend of the system, it may remain unused. Instead of mounting fixture 130being located directly over an intended optical reception point, as itwas with the originating optical transmission point, mounting fixture130 at the transmission end may be located near the intended opticalreception point. Looking now to FIG. 12, mounting fixture 130 would belocated such that the optical signal (shown by arrows 1210, 1220) wouldbe transmitted from transmission module onto a nearby optical receptionpoint. Thus in the above example of a television reception point,mounting fixture 130 would be located near an optical reception (e.g.,infrared reception) point on the television such that an opticaltransmission exiting transmission module 210 would be directed to theoptical reception point. FIG. 12 a shows a sectional view of the opticalsignal transmission path of FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 shows the complete arrangement 1300 of one described embodimenthaving an optical signal 1310 received from an optical transmissionsource underneath by a reception module 110 in a first mounting fixture130. The optical signal is then transmitted through an optical fiber inoptical cable 120 to transmission module 210 in a second mountingfixture 130. The optical signal 1320 is then transmitted out oftransmission module 210 toward an optical reception point. Optical cable120 is shown shortened in FIG. 13 for the purposes of illustration only,and could be longer or shorter depending on the application. As can beseen from FIG. 13, while the optical transmission source (e.g., set topbox's infrared port) would be obscured by the reception module 110 andits associated mounting fixture, the optical reception point (e.g.,television's infrared port) would not be obscured by the transmissionmodule 210.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a method 1400 for transmitting an opticalsignal from a first location to a second location. Method 1400,potentially including all steps shown, fewer steps than shown, or othersteps than shown, may be employed by the systems as described herein totransmit an optical signal from a first location to a second location.In other embodiments, systems not explicitly described herein mayperform method 1400 or other methods performed by the variousembodiments.

At block 1410, an optical signal is received from a first directionthrough a first aperture of a first mounting fixture. At block 1420, theoptical signal is reflected toward a second direction through a secondaperture of the first mounting fixture. At block 1430, the opticalsignal is transmitted through an optical fiber. At block 1440, theoptical signal is transmitted through an aperture in a second mountingfixture. At block 1450, the optical signal is transmitted toward areceiver.

Various embodiments have now been described in detail for the purposesof clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated thatcertain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for transmitting an optical signal froma first location to a second location, wherein the system comprises: afirst mounting fixture which defines at least a first cavity and a firstaperture at the bottom of the first cavity; a reception module, wherein:the reception module is disposed in the first cavity; and the receptionmodule comprises a reflector configured to receive the optical signalfrom a first direction through the first aperture and redirecting theoptical signal in a second direction; an optical fiber configured toreceive the optical signal from the reflector; a second mounting fixturewhich defines at least a second cavity and a second aperture on the sideof the second cavity; and a transmission module, wherein: thetransmission module is disposed in the second cavity and an end portionof the optical fiber is seated within and fixed by the transmissionmodule; and the transmission module directs the optical signal from theoptical fiber through the second aperture in a third direction so thatemission of the optical signal into free space external the transmissionmodule occurs from the end portion of the optical fiber.
 2. The systemfor transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a secondlocation of claim 1, wherein the first mounting fixture is identical tothe second mounting fixture.
 3. The system for transmitting an opticalsignal from a first location to a second location of claim 1, wherein:the second mounting fixture is configured to be mounted on a surface;and directing the optical signal from the optical fiber through thesecond aperture comprises directing the optical signal at a grazingangle to the surface of 45 degrees or less.
 4. The system fortransmitting an optical signal from a first location to a secondlocation of claim 1, wherein: the first mounting fixture further definesa third aperture on the side of the first cavity; and the seconddirection is through the third aperture.
 5. The system for transmittingan optical signal from a first location to a second location of claim 1,wherein: the first mounting fixture further defines a third aperture onthe side of the first cavity; and the reception module comprises aprotrusion disposed in the third aperture.
 6. The system fortransmitting an optical signal from a first location to a secondlocation of claim 5, wherein: the third aperture is opposite the firstaperture across the first cavity.
 7. The system for transmitting anoptical signal from a first location to a second location of claim 1,wherein: the second mounting fixture further defines a third aperture onthe side of the first cavity; and the third direction is through thethird aperture.
 8. The system for transmitting an optical signal from afirst location to a second location of claim 1, wherein: the secondmounting fixture further defines a third aperture on the side of thesecond cavity; and the transmission module comprises a protrusiondisposed in the third aperture.
 9. The system for transmitting anoptical signal from a first location to a second location of claim 8,wherein: the third aperture is opposite the second aperture across thesecond cavity.
 10. The system for transmitting an optical signal from afirst location to a second location of claim 1, wherein: the firstdirection is transverse to the second direction.
 11. The system fortransmitting an optical signal from a first location to a secondlocation of claim 1, wherein the first mounting fixture comprises: afirst wing extending away from one side of the first cavity; a secondwing extending away from an opposite side of the first cavity, whereinthe first wing and the second wing are coupleable to a surface.
 12. Thesystem for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to asecond location of claim 11, further comprising: an adhesive on thebottom of at least one of the first wing or the second wing.
 13. Asystem for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to asecond location, wherein the system comprises: a first means forreceiving the optical signal and reflecting the optical signal; a secondmeans for transmitting the reflected optical signal comprising atransmission module and an optical fiber that has an end portion that isseated within and fixed by the transmission module and that emits thereflected optical signal into free space external the transmissionmodule; a third means for securing the first means to a first surface;and a fourth means for securing the second means to a second surface,wherein the fourth means is identical to the third means.
 14. The systemfor transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a secondlocation of claim 13, wherein the first means comprises: a receptionmodule.
 15. The system for transmitting an optical signal from a firstlocation to a second location of claim 13, wherein the third meanscomprises: a mounting fixture which defines at least: a cavity; and afirst aperture at the bottom of the cavity; and a second aperture on theside of the cavity.